Before the French Revolution the French people were divided into social classes called the Estates. There were three estates. The first estate consisted of the clergy, both rich and poor. Some of the poeple lived on wealthy curch lands while others lived like peasants. The second was the nobility. This meant that many had the rights of nobles but were not very wealthy. But most also had wealth. The third was made up of wealthy merchants, doctors, lawyers, shopkeepers, urban poor, and also the peasants. The third estate varried the most in jobs and was also the largest group in France.
Unfortunatly, although the third esate were usually the least wealthy, they were also taxes the most. This was mainly because they made up most of France's population. The third estate also had very little political power. This eventually helped spark the French revolution.
The Old Regime
Before the French Revolution the French people were divided into social classes called the Estates. There were three estates. The first estate consisted of the clergy, both rich and poor. Some of the poeple lived on wealthy curch lands while others lived like peasants. The second was the nobility. This meant that many had the rights of nobles but were not very wealthy. But most also had wealth. The third was made up of wealthy merchants, doctors, lawyers, shopkeepers, urban poor, and also the peasants. The third estate varried the most in jobs and was also the largest group in France.Unfortunatly, although the third esate were usually the least wealthy, they were also taxes the most. This was mainly because they made up most of France's population. The third estate also had very little political power. This eventually helped spark the French revolution.